Ever wonder who champions the interests of Lower Saxony’s towns and municipalities? Right here, at Arnswaldtstrasse 28 in Hannover, stands the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund NSGB. It acts as a powerful advocate for local self-government.
The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund is the leading municipal association. It represents the interests of over 360 towns, municipalities and joint municipalities. These are all part of Lower Saxony’s districts. This area covers three-quarters of Lower Saxony. More than 3.4 million people live there. The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund ensures their voices are heard.
Think of the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund as the voice for local communities. The association defends their interests before state and federal lawmakers. It ensures that the concerns of these communities reach Berlin, Hanover and even the European Union.
But what exactly does the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund do? The association works to strengthen the self-administration. It also considers the interests of rural areas. It keeps the public informed about tasks and challenges. The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund works with other top associations in Lower Saxony. Together, they form a strong team.
On a federal level, the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund is part of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities. This organization represents district-affiliated areas. Council members of the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund send mayors. They also send councilors and chief administrative officers. These people participate in association committees. The committees are equally staffed. They include both volunteer and full-time members. The state association has six district associations. It also has 38 county associations.
The Landesgeschäftsstelle is the state office. The president leads it. It prepares and implements resolutions. It maintains contact with parliament. It also works with ministries and other authorities. This happens at the state and federal levels. The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund provides legal opinions. It also gives information to member towns and municipalities. This covers all municipal tasks.
The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund keeps members informed. It uses circulars, express services, and the “Rathaus & Recht” newsletter. It also uses “Ratsbrief” and press releases. The association publishes “Die Niedersächsische Gemeinde”. This is a journal for municipal representatives. It is also for administrators and interested parties. It is the most widely circulated. It is also politically independent. It is a specialist municipal journal in Germany. It has a circulation of around 13,200 copies every two months.
The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund promotes inter-municipal exchange. It helps members with practical questions. It also assists with legal problems. The Landesgeschäftsstelle supports them. The Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund serves as a platform. This helps the municipalities share experiences. The association launched the “Gemeinde 5.0” project in 2014. This project tests different approaches. These approaches help communities on their way to the year 2050.
Through practical seminars and training courses, the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund helps its members tackle local problems. Members get special rates for seminars and training. They also get them for inter-municipal cost and performance comparisons.
The Kommunale Wirtschafts- und Leistungsgesellschaft mbH is a subsidiary. It offers energy at preferential conditions. It also procures fire engines through tenders at special rates. It offers cheaper telephone services. This is done by bundling demand.
The Kommunale Umwelt-AktioN U.A.N. offers environmental solutions. These include quality and environmental management systems. It also includes waste water consulting. This minimizes waste water costs. It also has the “Rathaus und Umwelt” newsletter. The Gebrauchtwarenanzeiger “Rathausmarkt” is a used goods bulletin.
So, next time you benefit from a well-run community in Lower Saxony, remember the Niedersächsischer Städte- und Gemeindebund. It is working tirelessly behind the scenes to support local self-government and ensure a better future for its citizens.